2019-04-01 Women's Health

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TRUST THE TEAM“FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE EXCITED ABOUT YOUR GOAL, AND EVEN IF THEY DON’T

THINK THEY’RE LEADERS, URGE THEM TO TAKE ON THOSE ROLES. THAT’S HOW YOU BUILD COMMUNITY.”

KEEP SHOWING UP

“For months, no one

joined my run club. I

cried to my mom and

she said, ‘If you build

it, they will come.’

Within a year, we had

over 100 members.”

The number of hours it took her to run

from NYC to Washington, D.C., for the

2017 Women’s March—all while raising

money for Planned Parenthood as part

of her organization, Run 4 All Women.

60

What started as a way to

cope with depression has

become a lifestyle for

Désir. Now, less than 10

years since her first 26.2,

the mental health coun-

selor and founder of NYC-

area club Harlem Run is

determined to help others

“find meaning on the run.”

Set the Pace

RUNNER AND

ACTIVIST

Alison

Mariella

Désir

“Running showed me I was far more

capable physically and mentally than

I thought—which was incredibly

empowering. It had such a big impact

on me t hat I wanted to create a space

where everyone feels comfortable

jumping in and being challenged to be

better versions of themselves.”

GO THE

DISTANCE

AS TOLD TO ELIZABETH BACHARACH PHOTOGRAPHED BY BEN RITTER

“I’M A STRONG, POWERFUL

WOMAN, BUT I KNOW THAT I’M EVEN

STRONGER IN THE COMPANY OF

OTHER WOMEN. WORKING TOGETHER

PRODUCES THE BEST RESULTS.”

BE VULNERABLE

“You can talk about

the perfect idea

in your head forever,

but it doesn’t mean

anything until it’s

out there. Sharing my

mission helped

me find the support

to succeed.”

DEFINE YOU

“My nickname is

Powdered Feet—

I’m always on the

move; you only see

my footprints.

When I feel low,

it’s a reminder

of the real,

energized me.”